This guide unpacks major historical themes, events, and cultural references (with scholarly sources). If you haven't seen the movie, save this and come back later.
Brilliant work, superb research and excellent writing. Many people are already putting “Sinners” on top films of 2025 list. You’ve given us many more reasons to see this fantastic film more than once! Note to you: don’t worry about spoiler alerting. This information only enhances the film’s enjoyment and impact.
Excellent work! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Did you have an opportunity to research “plantation money”? Specifically, I am interested in the highlight of “wooden nickels”. I vividly remember my grandmother saying, “don’t take any wooden nickels”, when I was younger. I was wondering if this saying derived from wooden plantation currency.
It would be very interesting to read more about this currency, as it’s such a crucial pivot point in the story, creating the moment of Mary going out to see what money the white vampires might have to spend (also interesting to see what source/era Remmick’s gold coins are from).
Less than a square mile in total area, the city of Mound Bayou, Mississippi even now stands for release, freedom, and a promised land for the descendants of formerly enslaved people. Founded in 1887, Mound Bayou’s population is 98 percent African-American, one of the largest of any community in the United States, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
From its beginnings in a lonely swamp, this small town in the Mississippi Delta grew into a bustling community of black-owned businesses and successful farms by 1900. With some decline in the 1920s and 30s, Mound Bayou continued to draw black businesses and a large hospital up until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960
After watching the movie this evening, I wanted to research highlights that I missed. I am glad I stumbled on this post. This was excellent. I enjoyed all the nuggets I missed. I was impressed even with Pullman train in the background at the train station. Being a train aficionado, I was impressed that the history of the Pullman porters was also included in the film. A really great film with artistic impressions.
Excellent work! Every time I read one of your Substack posts I’m reminded why I’m a paid subscriber. Thanks for this breakdown on Sinners. I look forward to seeing the movie very soon!
Amazing read Khalil! I appreciate your time and effort put into providing the historical context behind so many meaningful moments. How many times did you see the movie lol! I feel like this should have took ages to write.
This is an excellent 'companion primer' to the film! A note about the Choctaw. They also owned slaves. They were part of the five so-called "Civilized Tribes" that owned slaves.
There are multiple short stories by William Faulkner about this as well (that take major creative liberty of his own invention, as we learned while researching them for a project and consulting with indigenous advisors).
I've got a question about something Annie first mentioned when she called cornbread dead. I believe i heard her use the word "Hag" instead of vampire but after she repels them with the garlic she affirmed they were vampire.
This stood out to me because of the spiritual cross over of hoodoo and voodoo like Caribbean spiritual practices. I, for a moment wondered if Annie was referring to the "old Higue" which is a Guyanese version of a soucouyant. A vampire like blood sucker too.
So grateful for this breakdown. I haven't seen the movie and wanted the spoilers so I can intentionally be looking for these things. Reading this makes me even more excited to see the movie. It's CHOCK-full of historical references!! *squealing*
Brilliant work, superb research and excellent writing. Many people are already putting “Sinners” on top films of 2025 list. You’ve given us many more reasons to see this fantastic film more than once! Note to you: don’t worry about spoiler alerting. This information only enhances the film’s enjoyment and impact.
Excellent work! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Did you have an opportunity to research “plantation money”? Specifically, I am interested in the highlight of “wooden nickels”. I vividly remember my grandmother saying, “don’t take any wooden nickels”, when I was younger. I was wondering if this saying derived from wooden plantation currency.
I get the feeling its "money" meant to devalue a sharecroppers labor kind of like the free pizza your employer got to stop you from joining a union.
I wanted to inquire about this as well, the use of cropper money rather than dollars. The little girl purchases herbal potions with cropper money.
It would be very interesting to read more about this currency, as it’s such a crucial pivot point in the story, creating the moment of Mary going out to see what money the white vampires might have to spend (also interesting to see what source/era Remmick’s gold coins are from).
OK. It's called an American Plantation Token which was used to address a shortage of physical money during that period.
https://thegrio.com/podcasts/thegrio-daily/real-gangstas-of-black-history-mound-bayou/
The shout out to Mound Bayou, MS
MOUND BAYOU HISTORY
Less than a square mile in total area, the city of Mound Bayou, Mississippi even now stands for release, freedom, and a promised land for the descendants of formerly enslaved people. Founded in 1887, Mound Bayou’s population is 98 percent African-American, one of the largest of any community in the United States, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
From its beginnings in a lonely swamp, this small town in the Mississippi Delta grew into a bustling community of black-owned businesses and successful farms by 1900. With some decline in the 1920s and 30s, Mound Bayou continued to draw black businesses and a large hospital up until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960
After watching the movie this evening, I wanted to research highlights that I missed. I am glad I stumbled on this post. This was excellent. I enjoyed all the nuggets I missed. I was impressed even with Pullman train in the background at the train station. Being a train aficionado, I was impressed that the history of the Pullman porters was also included in the film. A really great film with artistic impressions.
Excellent work! Every time I read one of your Substack posts I’m reminded why I’m a paid subscriber. Thanks for this breakdown on Sinners. I look forward to seeing the movie very soon!
Amazing read Khalil! I appreciate your time and effort put into providing the historical context behind so many meaningful moments. How many times did you see the movie lol! I feel like this should have took ages to write.
This is an excellent 'companion primer' to the film! A note about the Choctaw. They also owned slaves. They were part of the five so-called "Civilized Tribes" that owned slaves.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-native-american-slaveholders-complicate-trail-tears-narrative-180968339/
There are multiple short stories by William Faulkner about this as well (that take major creative liberty of his own invention, as we learned while researching them for a project and consulting with indigenous advisors).
I don’t know if it was intentional but you do not mention smoke or stack; Smoke Stack Lightnin, by Howlin Wolf; the train; Migration
I’m still processing this movie/message!
Another great breakdown!!! Great film too!!
Wow this is incredible and makes me want to go back to the theatre for a third time to see this incredible film! Thank you.
I've got a question about something Annie first mentioned when she called cornbread dead. I believe i heard her use the word "Hag" instead of vampire but after she repels them with the garlic she affirmed they were vampire.
This stood out to me because of the spiritual cross over of hoodoo and voodoo like Caribbean spiritual practices. I, for a moment wondered if Annie was referring to the "old Higue" which is a Guyanese version of a soucouyant. A vampire like blood sucker too.
What was she actually saying or referring to?
She used the term “haint”. Soul
of the dead/ghost.
$63 million here and $48 million globally
So grateful for your work and happy to subscribe! Thank you for all you do
So grateful for this breakdown. I haven't seen the movie and wanted the spoilers so I can intentionally be looking for these things. Reading this makes me even more excited to see the movie. It's CHOCK-full of historical references!! *squealing*
Absolutely phenomenal. Thank you, Kahlil.